I agree, the step mother was watching out for her own. I mean she was forced to sacrifice her life to care for a child that was not hers after her husband up and died on her and Cinderella was an indulged spoiled brat who's father denied her nothing. I mean, imagine not only have to deal with losing your husband that you loved and raising your two daughters once again on your own, but now out of moral obligation to the man you loved, you have to raise Cinderella who was obviously never told no. I think some eye gouging and beatings may have been needed because she was so overindulged. I mean who's to say she was not a wild little tramp and the only way to control her was to keep her beaten down and tired from working all day to keep her from going out at night and coming home in the condition of our Rapunzel here.